8th Jan 2025
Meet The Member – Steph Wall, The Kali Collective Yoga Studio
Name – Steph Wall
Business Name – The Kali Collective Yoga Studio
Tell us about your business, the inspiration behind it and when you launched it?
I opened the studio in July of 2015. To be honest, I opened it because I couldn’t find work anywhere so thought I would create my own! I had just moved from Canada where I was teaching vinyasa yoga, but when I came here, at the time, vinyasa yoga wasn’t really a thing. I went to a few local studios but had no luck with them. I think because no one knew me I found it safe to try opening something here because if I failed, I would just go home and no one would know! But little did I know, the studio quickly grew arms and legs and what was supposed to be 1 year has turned into 9.
Best piece of advice you were given at the start of your business journey?
The best advice was that every, EVERY, little thing is a reflection of your business. If I took short cuts or did things sloppy, that was a reflection of the business. I really started to put care into all the little details which no one would notice, but it all adds up to how I feel about the business and what the business stands for.
What has been your biggest lesson/ challenge faced so far and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was just that I’m not from here so I didn’t have a base to grow from. I really had to build it from the ground up with very little friends and no family to fall back on. I didn’t have a ton of support when growing the business, simply because I didn’t know many people here. Building the business and building a personal life at the same time wasn’t easy but I just had to take it day by day.
What is your number 1 business tip for success?
My number one tip is that you have to LOVE what you are doing. Passion for it will get you through the dips in income, the challenges of people ripping you off or copying you. It’s not all rainbows and sunshine and if you don’t love it, it’ll be hard.
What are the big business goals for the year?
My biggest goal is to spend next year really focusing on the bread and butter of the business. Solidify the foundation.
How can the GGC Business membership help?
I think the membership can help but exposing people to our offering and also connect me to other people where we can potentially collaborate.
What’s the dream?
The dream – what I’ve got! A beautiful dog, a loving partner and meaningful work.
Fave mantra to get you buzzed up for business!
It sounds so cheesy but whenever I’m challenged and I feel like…why meeee boo hoo, I say to myself, it’s not why me, it’s TRY ME.
Shout out to another local business you admire?
Chantelle and Treatwell!
Give us 3 fun facts about you!
- I am currently in uni for music production
- I used to snowboard like a beast, I once got to 116km down the steepest groomed slope in North America (I’ll never forget that feeling!)
- I’m obsessed with greyhounds.
Find out more about The Kali Collective and get in touch with Steph here!
